C&L

1600: The Power in the Undertone

interesting piece on the understated message: ..."Bush’s revival of a plan he had seemingly abandoned: to ban gay marriage by constitutional amendment. “Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society,” he told the throng of 10,000, “it should not be re-defined by local officials and activist judges. For the good of families, children, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage.” ...

He never mentioned the word “gay” or anything close to it. Instead, as he has done before, Bush phrased his call to action purely as an effort to support marriage. The religious press, meanwhile, wasted no time heralding Bush’s renewed interest in a gay marriage ban. The Christian Post, an online news outlet, led its story on Bush’s speech with his statement “opposing gay marriage.” ...read on

An Independent over at TMV: "A few weeks back, President Bush gave a speech at Montgomery Blair HS in Silver Spring, Maryland. It was rather controversial, since not a single member of the student body--nor anybody from the town of Silver Spring, was allowed to attend. While Bush's restrictive "town meeting" rules are by now old news, this one hit particularly close to home for me since the school is only 20 minutes away from my house.

So that got me to thinking--if you could get past that lovely barricade Bush has up between himself and independent thinkers, what would you say? If you got the chance to ask just one question or make just one comment, what would it be? Here's mine: read on

Charles Schumer called for Karl Rove to issue a statement to put to rest his involvement in the Plame leak.

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From another news source:"We've heard it from his lawyer, but it would be nice to hear it directly from Mr. Rove that he didn't leak the identity of Valerie Plame, and that he didn't direct anyone else to do such a dastardly thing," Schumer said in a statement. "I have said from the first day ... whoever leaked the classified information should be punished to the full extent of the law."

(Update)-Newshounds has the Transcripts and some thoughts.

Duncan Hunter talks about nation building and Hagel backs up his criticism of Bush's handling of the Iraq war.

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Duncan want to change the world. I thought we went into Iraq because of WMD's?

The Extreme Religious Right comes out firing:
Ballon-Juice has the definitive round up of the "God's Circus Clown" crowd: I think Ed Kilgore may be right on this issue...read on

Alberto Gonzalez is in their crosshairs.

After reading Tony Perkins latest on Justice O’Connor and then reading the phony consultation scam on Bork's nomination, if anyone believes Bush will do anything other than what he wants, I have a bridge to sell you. This is like "end times" for the Circus Clowns and they will use every ounce of political capitol they think they have earned to get their judge on the bench.

When you read all the negative responses by these ass hats against Justice O'Conner, it sort of surprises me. Mostly because if she had ruled against Bush in 2000, they never would be in the position that they are in right now. Al Gore might well have been president, leaving them to swing in the wind where they belong. If they are so willing to throw her under the bus even after she delivered them their greatest victory how can we possibly think that their goals aren't precisely what Cole is saying.

Capitol Buzz alerts us to a little more "man on dog" Rick.

World O' Crap reviews Mike "second string" Gallagher and Man on Dog's latest book releases.

Lawrence O'Donnell has an: Update on Rove : If what I have reported is not true, if Karl Rove is not Matt Cooper’s source, Rove could prove that instantly by telling us what he told the grand jury. Nothing prevents him from doing that, except a good lawyer who is trying to keep him out of jail.

Needlenose: Plame fireworks: Rove under suspicion... and why is Judith Miller *really* going to jail?

Anythink clip worthy?

Arianna has her weekly Russert Watch ready. She has questions for Tim all lined up and waiting to go. Will he ask any of them?

From the McLaughlin Group

"What we're going to go to now in the next stage, when Matt Cooper's emails-within Time Magazine, uh, are handed over to the grand jury is the ultimate revelation, probably within the week of who his source is.

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And I know I'm going to get pulled into the grand jury for saying this but the source of-for Matt Cooper was Karl Rove, and that will be revealed in this document dump that Time Magazine's going to do with the grand jury."

Time magazine talked to Bush's guru for Plame story.

John has this from CNN: CNN.com, September 29, 2003:

McClellan said that if anyone at the White House leaked Plame's identity, he should be fired, and pursued to the "fullest extent."

"No one was authorized to do this. That is simply not the way this White House operates and if someone leaked classified information it is a very serious matter," he said.

Digby has a great post: Wonkette Knows All

Oh and don't forget to check out Brad Blog's Radio Show called The Brad Show